Acceleration of fresh fracture repair using the sonic accelerated fracturehealing system (SAFHS): A review

The Sonic Accelerated Fracture Healing System (SAFHS) is a relatively new f racture management tool which incorporates the application of a specificall y modified diagnostic ultrasound unit to healing fractures with the intenti on of accelerating repair. In an animal fracture model, this device has bee n shown to accelerate the rate of biomechanical healing by a factor of 1.4- 1.6. In two randomized, controlled trials in humans, the same unit has been shown to reduce the time frame of clinical and radiographic healing by 38% . In the two fracture regions investigated, tibial diaphysis and distal rad ius, this represented a 58 day and 37 day reduction in healing time, respec tively. Despite its effect on the entire process of fresh fracture repair, the effect of the SAFHS on the individual stages and processes involved has not been established. This paper reviews these stages and processes, and d iscusses the clinical and practical implications of the effect of the SAFHS on fracture repair and the need for further research into this modality.